Device and method of monitoring a position and predicting an exit of a subject on or from a substrate

ABSTRACT

Methods and devices for monitoring the position of a subject are disclosed. One such method includes sensing pressure waves generated by the subject moving on a divided bladder comprising interleaved portions, generating signals indicative of the pressure waves for each of the interleaved portions, and sending the signals to a processor. The method further includes determining the position of the subject based on the difference between the signals from each of the interleaved portions and generating a pattern for the subject. The pattern includes the presence and/or position of the subject over time. The method further includes predicting an action such as an exit of the subject from the divided bladder based on comparing a current pattern for the subject to previous patterns for the subject.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure pertains in general to a monitoring system formonitoring the presence, position, and pattern of movement of a subjecton a substrate such as a mattress, and for predicting exit of a subjectfrom the substrate.

BACKGROUND

Monitoring a condition of a subject, such as a subject at rest on amattress, can include monitoring vital signs, such as heart andrespiration rates. Some monitoring systems can include expensive andcumbersome equipment, such as an electrocardiogram (EKG), aballistocardiograph (BCG), a piezoelectric film, or an array of sensors.EKGs, for example, typically necessitate attaching electrodes insubstantially direct contact with a subject, while BCGs rely on large,heavy, unaesthetic force-measuring platforms.

In some implementations, monitoring a condition of a subject can includemonitoring the presence or absence of a subject, for example, thepresence or absence of a subject on a mattress. However, in addition tobeing expensive and cumbersome, monitoring systems can be unable toaccurately predict when a subject is about to change condition, forexample, when a presence condition is about to change from present toabsent base on the subject exiting the mattress.

SUMMARY

Methods and devices for monitoring a position of a subject on asubstrate are disclosed. One such method includes sensing incidentpressure waves generated by the subject moving on a divided bladdercomprising interleaved portions with at least one sensor in fluidcommunication with a respective portion of the divided bladder,generating signals indicative of the incident pressure waves for each ofthe interleaved portions of the bladder and sending the signals to aprocessor, determining a position of the subject on the divided bladderbased on a difference between the signals from each of the interleavedportions and generating a position pattern for the subject over a periodof time.

Another method includes sensing, with one or more sensors, incidentpressure waves generated by the subject moving on a divided bladdercomprising interleaved portions wherein the one or more sensors are influid communication with the bladder; generating signals indicative ofthe incident pressure waves for each of the interleaved portions of thebladder and sending the signals to a processor; determining the presenceof the subject on the divided bladder based on the magnitude of thesignals from each of the interleaved portions; determining the positionof the subject on the divided bladder based on the difference betweenthe signals from each of the interleaved portions; generating a patternfor the subject, wherein the pattern includes the presence and positionof the subject over time; and predicting an exit of the subject from thedivided bladder based on comparing a current pattern for the subject toprevious patterns for the subject.

In another embodiment, a non-intrusive monitoring device for monitoringthe position of a subject is disclosed. The device includes a dividedbladder comprising interleaved portions; one or more sensors in fluidcommunication with the interleaved portions of the divided bladderwherein the one or more sensors are configured to generate signals inresponse to pressure variations resulting from movement of a subject onthe divided bladder; and a processor. The processor is configured to:receive signals from the one or more sensors for each of the interleavedportions; determine the subject's presence on the divided bladder basedon the magnitude of the signals from each of the interleaved portions;determine the subject's position on the divided bladder based on thedifference between the signals from each of the interleaved portions;generate a pattern for the subject, wherein the pattern includes thesubject's presence and subject's position over time; and predict an exitof the subject from the divided bladder based on comparing a currentpattern for the subject to previous patterns for the subject.

In another embodiment, a device for monitoring the position of a subjecton a substrate is disclosed. The device includes: a sensing unit havinga divided bladder comprising interleaved portions configured to beplaced under the substrate on which the subject lies and one or moresensors in fluid communication with the interleaved portions, whereinthe one or more sensors are configured to sense pressure variationswithin the divided bladder generated by movement of the subject and togenerate signals indicative of the pressure variations; a processorconfigured to receive the signals and to determine and generate outputindicative of the subject's position based on the difference between thesignals from each of the interleaved portions; and an external deviceconfigured to display the output.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description makes reference to the accompanying drawings, whereinlike reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the severalviews, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a computing and communications system inaccordance with implementations of this disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example computing and communication device inaccordance with implementations of this disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows an example of a non-intrusive monitoring apparatus formonitoring a condition of a subject in accordance with implementationsof this disclosure;

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a top view of a pair of seamed bladders formonitoring a position of a subject using the apparatus of FIG. 3 andgraphical representations of pressure differentials along the seamedbladders by subject position;

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate the non-intrusive monitoring apparatus used inmonitoring a subject's position;

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a seamed bladder for monitoringa position of a subject using the apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a representative system architecture for monitoring theposition of a subject in accordance with implementations of thisdisclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a method of monitoring the position of a subject in accordancewith implementations of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Method and devices for non-intrusive monitoring of the position andpresence of a subject on a substrate such as a mattress are disclosedhere. Unlike monitors that are placed in substantially direct contactwith a subject, such as monitors that include electrodes, pressurecuffs, and the like, non-intrusive monitoring, such as the method andapparatus described here, can monitor a condition of a subject withoutbeing in substantially direct contact with the subject. A non-intrusivemonitoring apparatus, or one or more portions thereof, can betransported for use by a subject to different locations. Non-intrusivemonitoring can include detecting, storing, processing, and communicatinginformation indicating a condition of a subject. For example, anon-intrusive monitoring apparatus can detect condition information,such as presence, position, and pattern of movement of the subject overtime, and can communicate the condition information to a monitoringcontroller that can receive, store, process, and present the conditioninformation, related information, or both, via, for example, an audio orvideo display device.

The position of a subject can be the location of the subject on asubstrate such as a bed. In addition to the location, the position caninclude the configuration of the subject's head, torso, legs and feetusing heart rate and respiration rate, for example, in addition tocenter of mass and other pressure measurements. The position can alsoinclude whether the subject is lying on his or her right or left sidebased on heart rate and/or respiration. The position can also includewhether the subject is lying down, partially reclining or sitting on thesubstrate.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a computing and communications system 100 inaccordance with implementations of this disclosure. The computing andcommunications system 100 can include one or more computing andcommunication devices 102/104/106, one or more access points 112/114,one or more networks 120, or a combination thereof. Although shown hereas including three computing and communication devices 102/104/106, twoaccess points 112/114, and one network 120, the computing andcommunications system 100 can include any number of computing andcommunication devices, access points, and networks.

A computing and communication device 102/104/106 can be any device orsystem configured to perform wired or wireless communication. Forexample, a computing and communication device 102 can be configured toperform wireless communication via a wireless communication link 122,via a wired communication link 124, or both. In another example, acomputing and communication device 104 can be configured to performwireless communication via a first wireless communication link 125, viaa second wireless communication link 126, or both. In another example, acomputing and communication device 106 can be configured to performwired communication via a first wired communication link 124, can beconfigured to perform wireless communication via a wirelesscommunication link 126, can be configured to perform wired communicationvia a second wired communication link 128, or can be configured tocommunicate via a combination of wired and wireless communication links124/126/128.

The computing and communication devices 102/104/106 can communicate witheach other directly via a wired or wireless communication link 124/126,indirectly via an access point, indirectly via the network 120 using oneor more a wired or wireless communication links, or via a combination ofwired and wireless communication links 122/124/125/126/128. Althougheach computing and communication device 102/104/106 is shown as a singleunit, a computing and communication device can include any number ofinterconnected elements.

An access point 112/114 can be any type of device configured tocommunicate with a computing and communication device 102/104/106, anetwork 120, or both, via wired or wireless communication links122/124/125/126/128. For example, an access point 112/114 can include abase station, a base transceiver station (BTS), a Node-B, an enhancedNode-B (eNode-B), a Home Node-B (HNode-B), a wireless router, a wiredrouter, a hub, a relay, a switch, or any similar wired or wirelessdevice. An access point 112/114 can communicate with the network 120 viaa wired communication link 132, a wireless communication link 134, or acombination of wired and wireless communication links. Although eachaccess point 112/114 is shown as a single unit, an access point caninclude any number of interconnected elements.

The network 120 can be any type of network configured to provideservices, such as voice, data, or any other communications protocol orcombination of communications protocols, over a wired or wirelesscommunication link. For example, the network 120 can be a local areanetwork (LAN), wide area network (WAN), virtual private network (VPN), amobile or cellular telephone network, the Internet, or any other meansof electronic communication. The network can use a communicationprotocol, such as the transmission control protocol (TCP), the userdatagram protocol (UDP), the internet protocol (IP), the real-timetransport protocol (RTP) the Hyper Text Transport Protocol (HTTP), or acombination thereof.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary computing and communication device200 in accordance with implementations of this disclosure. For example,each of the computing and communication devices 102/104/106 shown inFIG. 2 can be a computing and communication device 200 as shown in FIG.2. A computing and communication device 200 can include a communicationinterface 210, a communication unit 220, a processor 230, a memory 240,instructions 250, a power source 260, or any combination thereof. Asused herein, the term “computing device” includes any unit, orcombination of units, capable of performing any method, or any portionor portions thereof, disclosed herein.

The computing and communication device 200 can be a stationary computingdevice or a mobile computing device. For example, the computing andcommunication device 200 can be a personal computer (PC), a server, aworkstation, a minicomputer, a mainframe computer, a mobile telephone, apersonal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop, a tablet PC, or anintegrated circuit. Although shown as a single unit, any one or moreelements of the communication device 200 can be integrated into anynumber of separate physical units.

The communication interface 210 can be a wireless antenna, as shown, awired communication port, such as an Ethernet port, an infrared port, aserial port, or any other wired or wireless unit capable of interfacingwith a wired or wireless communication medium 270. The communicationunit 220 can be configured to transmit or receive signals via a wired orwireless communication medium 270, such as radio frequency (RF), ultraviolet (UV), visible light, fiber optic, wire line, or a combinationthereof. Although FIG. 2 shows a single communication unit 220 and asingle communication interface 210, any number of communication unitsand any number of communication interfaces can be used.

The processor 230 can include any device or system capable ofmanipulating or processing a signal or other information, such asoptical processors, quantum processors, molecular processors, or acombination thereof. For example, the processor 230 can include ageneral purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventionalprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality ofmicroprocessors, one or more microprocessor in association with a DSPcore, a controller, a micro controller, an Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), aprogrammable logic array, programmable logic controller, microcode,firmware, any type of integrated circuit (IC), a state machine, or anycombination thereof. As used herein, the term “processor” includes asingle processor or multiple processors. The processor can beoperatively coupled with the communication unit 220, the memory 240, theinstructions 250, the power source 260, or any combination thereof.

The memory 240 can include any non-transitory computer-usable orcomputer-readable medium, such as any tangible device that can, forexample, contain, store, communicate, or transport the instructions 250,or any information associated therewith, for use by or in connectionwith the processor 230. The non-transitory computer-usable orcomputer-readable medium can be, for example, a solid state drive, amemory card, removable media, a read only memory (ROM), a random accessmemory (RAM), any type of disk including a hard disk, a floppy disk, anoptical disk, a magnetic or optical card, an application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), or any type of non-transitory mediasuitable for storing electronic information, or any combination thereof.The memory 240 can be connected to, for example, the processor 230through, for example, a memory bus (not explicitly shown).

The instructions 250 can include directions for performing any method,or any portion or portions thereof, disclosed here. The instructions 250can be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof.For example, the instructions 250 can be implemented as informationstored in the memory 240, such as a computer program, that can beexecuted by the processor 230 to perform any of the respective methods,algorithms, aspects, or combinations thereof, as described here. Theinstructions 250, or a portion thereof, can be implemented as a specialpurpose processor, or circuitry, that can include specialized hardwarefor carrying out any of the methods, algorithms, aspects, orcombinations thereof, as described herein. Portions of the instructions250 can be distributed across multiple processors on the same machine ordifferent machines or across a network such as a local area network, awide area network, the Internet, or a combination thereof.

The power source 260 can be any suitable device for powering thecomputing and communication device 200. For example, the power source260 can include a wired power source; one or more dry cell batteries,such as nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-zinc (NiZn), nickel metal hydride(NiMH), lithium-ion (Li-ion); solar cells; fuel cells; or any otherdevice capable of powering the communication device 200. Thecommunication interface 210, the communication unit 220, the processor230, the instructions 250, the memory 240, or any combination thereof,can be operatively coupled with the power source 260.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the computing andcommunication device 200 can include a user interface (UI), which can beany unit capable of interfacing with a user, such as a virtual orphysical keypad, a touchpad, a display, a touch display, a speaker, amicrophone, a video camera, a sensor, or any combination thereof. The UIcan be operatively coupled with the processor, as shown, or with anyother element of the computing and communication device 200, such as thepower source 260. Although shown as a single unit, the UI can includeone or more physical units. For example, the UI can include an audiointerface for performing audio communication with a user, and a touchdisplay for performing visual and touch based communication with theuser.

FIG. 2 shows one exemplary configuration of a computing andcommunication device 200 and is not meant to imply limitations withrespect to the embodiments. Other elements can be used in addition to orin the place of the depicted elements, and the computing andcommunication device 200 can be implemented on a variety of hardwareplatforms and software environments, such as various operating systems.Although shown as separate elements, the communication interface 210,the communication unit 220, the processor 230, the instructions 250, thepower source 260, the memory 240, the UI, or any combination thereof canbe integrated in one or more electronic units, circuits, or chips.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a non-intrusive monitoring apparatus 300 formonitoring a condition of a subject 302 in accordance with thisdisclosure. In some embodiments, the non-intrusive monitoring apparatus300 can be used in conjunction with a substrate, such as bed 310. Asshown in FIG. 3, a subject 302 can be positioned on the bed 310 suchthat the non-intrusive monitoring apparatus 300 can detect an action orcondition, such as movement, a position or a vital sign, of the subject302. For example, the subject 302 can be resting in a reclined positionon the bed 310 above at least a portion of the non-intrusive monitoringapparatus 300, as shown. In some embodiments, the non-intrusivemonitoring apparatus 300 can be configured to concurrently detectmultiple conditions of the subject 302. For example, the non-intrusivemonitoring apparatus 300 can concurrently detect a heart rate, arespiration rate, a position of and movement of the subject 302.

In some embodiments, the bed 310 can include a frame 312 and one or morepadding layers 314. The padding layers 314 can include one or more of afoam pad, a box spring, a mattress, an additional bladder, an airbladder, a straw-filled pad, a feather-filled pad, a sawdust-filled pad,a spring-based pad, or any padding layer capable of supporting thesubject 302 and at least a portion of the non-intrusive monitoringapparatus 300. The bed 310 can have a top surface area 316, such as asurface area of a top side of a mattress.

In some embodiments, the non-intrusive monitoring apparatus 300 caninclude a monitoring unit 320, a pump 330, a monitoring controller 340,or any combination thereof. The monitoring unit 320, the pump 330, andthe monitoring controller 340 can be configured as separate units asshown, or as one or more combined units. For example, the monitoringunit 320 can be configured as a first unit and the pump 330 and themonitoring controller 340 can be configured as a second combined unit,separate from the monitoring unit 320. In another example, themonitoring unit 320, the pump 330, and the monitoring controller 340 canbe configured as single combined unit.

In some embodiments, the monitoring unit 320, or a portion thereof, canbe removably positioned on a single padding layer or between two paddinglayers 314 of the bed as shown. In some embodiments, the bed 310 caninclude one or more padding layers 314 and the non-intrusive monitoringapparatus 300 can include one or more additional padding layers (notshown). In some embodiments, the monitoring unit 320 can be fixedlyattached to one or more padding layers. In some embodiments, themonitoring unit 320 can include one or more bladders 322, one or moresensors 324, one or more inlets 326, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the bladder 322 can be configured to contain afluid, such as air, water, or any other appropriate fluid. In someembodiments, the bladder 322 will have foam to self-inflate the bladder322 and eliminate the need for a pump 330. The bladder 322 can be sizedto have a surface area substantially as large as the surface area of thebed 310. For example, the bladder 322 can have a surface areasubstantially as large as a king-size, queen-size, full, twin, or othersized mattress. Although described as having a surface area that issubstantially as large as the surface area of the bed 310, the bladder322 can be of any size capable of detecting a position of the subject302 on the bed 310. For example, the surface area of the bladder 322 canbe substantially smaller than the surface area 316 of the bed 310. Insome embodiments, the bladder 322 can be configured for use in a chair,automobile seat, hospital bed, crib, or other structure capable ofsupporting a subject.

The pressure in the bladder 322 can vary depending on the amount offluid in the bladder 322, whether the subject 302 is lying on thebladder 322 or sitting on the bladder 322, the heart rate of the subject302 lying on the bladder 322, the respiration rate of the subject 302lying on the bladder 322, or other movement of the subject 302 lying onthe bladder 322. As used herein the term ‘unladened reference pressure’can indicate an average fluid pressure within the bladder 322 in theabsence of a subject 302 over a period of time, and the term ‘ladenedreference pressure’ can indicate an average fluid pressure within thebladder 322 in the presence of a subject 302 over a period of time. Forsimplicity, the term ‘reference pressure’ can indicate the ladended orunladened reference pressure.

In some embodiments, one or more sensors 324 can be configured to detectand measure changes in pressure, incident pressure waves, or both,within the bladder 322. For example, incident pressure waves caused byshifting body weight in response to cardiopulmonary activity can inducea change in pressure that can be detected and measured by the sensors324. In some embodiments, a sensor 324 can be positioned such that thesensor 324 has a sensing side within the bladder 322 and a referenceside outside of the bladder 322. The sensor 324 can include a pressuresensor, such as a semiconductor pressure sensor. In some embodiments,the sensor 324 can include other types of sensors, such as a temperaturesensor. The sensor 324 can output a pressure signal indicating measuredchanges of the pressure in the bladder 322.

For example, the one or more sensors 324 can include a computing andcommunication device, such as the computing and communication devices102/104/106 shown in FIG. 1 or the computing and communication device200 shown in FIG. 2, and can be configured to output pressure signals tothe pump 330, the monitoring controller 340, to an external device (notshown), or to any combination thereof, via a wired or wirelesscommunication link. In some embodiments, the sensors 324 can beconfigured to receive and respond to control signals from the monitoringcontroller 340, an external device, or both. In some embodiments, thesensors 324 can be configured to condition the pressure signals, whichcan include amplifying and filtering the pressure signal. For example,the sensors 324 can be configured to generate a pressure signal bymeasuring the fluid pressure, to condition the pressure signal, and tosend the conditioned pressure signal to the pump 330, the monitoringcontroller 340, an external device, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the inlet 326 can be configured to provide fluidcommunication between the bladder 322 and the pump 330. For example, theinlet 326 can be integrated with the bladder 322 and can fluidlycommunicate with pump 330 via a hose 328 as shown. In another example,the pump 330 can be integrated with the bladder 322 and the hose 328 canbe omitted.

In some embodiments, the non-intrusive monitoring apparatus 300 caninclude the pump 330, which can be a rotary pump or any other type ofpump, configured to maintain a reference or average pressure within thebladder 322. The pump 330 can include an electric line 332 forconnection to a power source, the pump 330 can include a self-containedpower source, such as one or more batteries, or the pump 330 can includean electric line and a self-contained power source. In some embodiments,the non-intrusive monitoring apparatus 300 can include a self-inflatingbladder and the pump 330 can be omitted.

In some embodiments, the pump 330 can include a sensor 334. For example,a pump housing 336 can provide a casing containing components of thepump 330 and can contain the sensor 334. For example, the sensor 334 canbe positioned in a portion of the pump 330 in fluid communication withthe hose 328, via, for example, a pressurized fluid outlet 338 of thepump 330. The pressure of the hose 328, which can be in fluidcommunication with the bladder 322, can correspond to the pressure inthe bladder 322. The pump 330, the sensor 334, or both, can beconfigured for wired or wireless communication. For example, the pump330 can include a computing and communication device, such as thecomputing and communication devices 102/104/106 shown in FIG. 1 or thecomputing and communication device 200 shown in FIG. 2, and can beconfigured to communicate with the sensors 324, the monitoringcontroller 340, an external device (not shown), or with a combinationthereof, via a wired or wireless communication link. For example, thepump 330 can be configured to receive the pressure signal from thesensors 324, to condition the pressure signal, and to send the pressuresignal to the monitoring controller 340, to an external device (notshown), or to any combination thereof, via a wired or wirelesscommunication link. In some embodiments, the pump 330, the sensor 334,or both, can be configured to receive and respond to control signalsfrom the monitoring controller 340, an external device, or both.

In some embodiments, the non-intrusive monitoring apparatus 300 caninclude a monitoring controller 340. The monitoring controller 340 canbe a computing and communication device, such as the computing andcommunication devices 102/104/106 shown in FIG. 1 or the computing andcommunication device 200 shown in FIG. 2, can be configured tocommunicate with the sensors 324, the pump 330, an external device (notshown), or with a combination thereof, via a wired or wirelesscommunication link, and can be configured to control the non-intrusivemonitoring apparatus 300. For example, the monitoring controller 340 canreceive a signal indicating the pressure of the bladder 322 and cancontrol the pump 330 to maintain or increase the reference pressure inthe bladder 322.

In some embodiments, the bladder 322, the pump 330, or both, can includea pressure release unit, such as a pressure release valve, configuredfor releasing pressure in the bladder 322, and the monitoring controller340 can be configured to control the pressure release unit to decreasethe fluid pressure in the bladder 322. In some embodiments, the pressurerelease unit can include a computing and communication device, such asthe computing and communication devices 102/104/106 shown in FIG. 1 orthe computing and communication device 200 shown in FIG. 2, and can beconfigured to communicate with the sensors 324, the pump 330, themonitoring controller 340, an external device (not shown), or with acombination thereof, via a wired or wireless communication link.

In an example, the monitoring controller 340 can analyze the pressuresignal and can convert it to one or more parameters associated with thesubject 302. The parameters can include, but are not limited to, a heartrate, a respiration rate, a change in position, a change in staticpressure, or changes in differential pressure between multiple bladders.The parameters can be analyzed to determine a condition of the subject302, such as a length of sleep, a quality of sleep, a position, apresence or absence in the bed, a blood pressure, tossing and turningmovements, rolling movements, limb movements, weight, a predictive exitfrom the bladder, or other conditions. For example, the subject 302 canrest against the bladder 322 either directly, or indirectly, via one ormore padding layers 314, and each of the subject's heart beats, breaths,and other movements can create a force on the bladder 322 that can betransmitted to one or more sensors 324 each as a wave propagated throughthe fluid of a different strength and frequency. The one or more sensors324 can detect the wave, and can generate a corresponding pressuresignal a that can be computed into data such as a heart rate,respiratory rate, position change, or other parameter regarding thesubject 302.

In some embodiments, detected pressure signals, parameters, conditioninformation, or a combination thereof, can be stored and analyzed incombination to refine the information or to generate additionalinformation regarding the subject 302. For example, information can beused to generate a unique biological pattern for the subject 302, whichcan include a combination of heart beat, respiration, weight, staticpressure, patterns of position change, or a combination thereof. In oneexample, the apparatus 300 can determine that an isolated change inpressure, such as a change in pressure caused by placing a heavy staticobject, such as a suitcase, on the bed 310, was not caused by thesubject 302. In another example, information indicating a change inpressure caused by the arrival of the subject 302, such as the subject302 sitting on the bed, can be combined with the unique heart beat andrespiration of the subject 302 to determine if that particular subject302 is resting on the monitoring unit 320. In some embodiments, thenon-intrusive monitoring apparatus 300 can determine changes in positionof the subject 302 based on the information. For example, thenon-intrusive monitoring apparatus 300 can determine that a subject 302is lying down flat based on strong heart beat and respiration signals,and the non-intrusive monitoring apparatus 300 can determine that thesubject 302 is lying on his or her left side or right side. For example,if the heart beat signal is weak and the respiration signal is strong,the subject 302 is lying on the right side.

The monitoring controller 340 can receive the conditioned pressuresignal from the sensors 324 and can perform pattern recognition, orother calculations, based on the conditioned pressure signal todetermine the position, heart rate, respiratory rate, or otherbio-signal properties or conditions associated with the subject 302. Forexample, the heart rate can be identified based on a portion of thesignal that has a frequency in the range of 0.5-4.0 Hz and therespiration rate can be identified based on a portion of the signal hasa frequency in the range of less than 1 Hz. The monitoring controller340 can also receive signals from other sensors, such as a temperaturesensor. The monitoring controller 340 can receive and process signalsfrom a plurality of sensors 324 in a non-intrusive monitoring apparatus300, or from different non-intrusive monitoring apparatuses in use bydifferent subjects.

The monitoring controller 340 can send information, such as informationindicating the parameters of the subject, such as the position, heartrate, and respiratory rate, to an external device, which can beaccessible to a user, such as a text messaging platform, a data logger,a printer, an alarm system, an alert siren, or other data acquisition oractuating device, or a computer capable of performing analyticalfunctions.

Medical facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes and psychiatricinstitutions can use the non-intrusive monitoring apparatus 300 for manydifferent reasons. A medical facility might use the non-intrusivemonitoring apparatus 300 in each bed, or each bed of a ward or floor,with each subject 302 or patient associated with a non-intrusivemonitoring apparatus 300 or bed, providing instant information to theuser of which beds include patients, which beds are available to newpatients, what position each patient currently has in each bed, whichpatients are moving in their beds, etc. Because the non-intrusivemonitoring apparatus 300 is a non-contact monitoring system, patientsneed not be “hooked up” to the apparatus. The system does not need to beturned on by an employee or otherwise initiated. The system can begin tomonitor the patient as soon as the patient rests against the bladder322.

There are additional uses for the non-intrusive monitoring apparatus 300in medical facilities. Non-limiting examples include providing a currentand historical account of patient vital signs such as respiration andheart rate to caregivers and providing a current and historical accountof patient motion to prevent bed sores, presence in bed, or absence frombed. In addition, the non-intrusive monitoring apparatus 300 can beconfigured to predict when a patient will exit a bed based on thepressure pattern of the patient's position sensed with reference to theedges of the bed, for example, and indications of directional motion ofthe patient sensed before a patient's absence. An example monitoringunit 320 configured for use in pinpointing patient position anddetecting direction of patient motion is described with reference toFIG. 4 below.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a top view of a pair of bladders 400/402 formonitoring a position of a subject 302 using the non-intrusivemonitoring apparatus 300 of FIG. 3. The pair of bladders 400/402 can bestacked one on top of the other and positioned on top of, below, orbetween padding layers, for example, between padding layers 314 in asimilar position to bladder 322 in FIG. 3. The bladder 400 of FIG. 4Aincludes a horizontal seam 404 separating the bladder 400 into twoportions A/B. The seam 404 can be created by any means known to thoseskilled in the art. The horizontal seam 404 creates a horizontal zig-zagpattern on the bladder 400, splitting the bladder 400 into the twoportions A/B. In the example shown here, portion A includes fingers, orteeth, that extend between the fingers, or teeth, of portion B. Thoughthe fingers or teeth shown in FIG. 4A are triangular, they can also bein any other shape. The design is configured such that the portions A/Bare interleaved, allowing each portion A/B to sense position in a linearmanner. Though each of the portions A/B shown in FIG. 4A includesapproximately half of the bladder 400, the horizontal seam 404 can alsobe configured to divide the bladder 400 into quarters, eights,sixteenths, or unequally sectioned portions.

By separating the bladder 400 into interleaved portions A/B, thepressure can be measured independently in each portion A/B. The seam 404is configured so that each interleaved portion A/B extends nearly theentire width of the bladder 400. This allows for each interleavedportion A/B to have some degree of pressure exerted on it by the subjectat nearly any location on the bladder 400, as opposed to a vertical seamcreating portions that are not interleaved. This degree of pressure canbe interpreted based on the amount or percentage of the portion to whichthe subject is exposed when compared to the degree of pressure on theother interleaved portion.

In one example, the bladder 400 can include or be in communication withone or more pressure sensors 420/422. The one or more pressure sensors420/422 can be configured to measure the pressure both in portion A andportion B. The sensors 420/422 can be positioned at any location alongthe portion the sensors 420/422 will be measuring. The pressure inportion A will increase linearly as a subject, e.g. subject 302 shown inFIG. 3, moves toward the left side of the bladder 400. In a similarmanner, the pressure in portion B will increase linearly as the subject302 moves toward the right side of the bladder 400.

The difference in pressure between portion A and portion B can be usedto represent the horizontal position of, for example, the subject 302reclining or sitting on a substrate such as a bed or mattress includingthe bladder 400. FIGS. 4A and 4B also show graphical representations ofpressure differentials along the seamed bladders 400/402 by subject 302position. In graph 406, the horizontal position of a subject 302 isshown along the x-axis. This horizontal position is represented usinghorizontal indicators, 1-10, shown both below the bladder 400 and on thex-axis label of the graph 406. An example normalized linearrepresentation of the pressure differential, that is, the pressure ofportion A minus the pressure of portion B, for a subject 302 moving fromthe left side to the right side of the bladder 400 is shown along they-axis.

For example, if a subject 302 has a center of mass located at thehorizontal position denoted by ‘3’ both on the bladder 400 and on thegraph 406, the pressure differential between the portions, e.g. pressureof portion A minus pressure of portion B, would also be approximately‘3.’ If a subject 302 has a center of mass located at the horizontalposition denoted by ‘8’ both on the bladder 400 and on the graph 406,the pressure differential between the portions would be approximately‘−4.’ Thus, by calculating the pressure differential between theportions A/B of the bladder 400, the horizontal position of the subject302 can be predicted.

The pressure differential between the portions A/B of the bladder 400can provide predictive capabilities of a subject's action based onmovement, such as exit from the bladder. By capturing a string, orstream, of pressure differentials while the subject 302 moves along thebladder 400, the horizontal direction of motion of the subject 302 isdetermined. From the position pattern, including one or both of speed ofmovement and trajectory of movement, as examples, an action of thesubject can be predicted. For example, if the trajectory is toward anedge of the bed in which the bladder 400 is incorporated, an action suchas exit of the bed can be predicted. This prediction can trigger anindication or alarm to a caregiver that the subject is about to exit thebed, calling the caregiver to the subject to assist in the exit andgetting to the desired location without falling. The predication cantrigger a reminder or alarm for the subject. For example, a verbalwarning may be triggered for the subject to call a nurse for assistancebefore getting out of bed.

If the stream of pressure differentials is followed by a subsequentabsence of the subject 302 from the substrate, the representativepressure differentials can be stored, for example, in the memory 240 ofthe computing and communication device 200 shown in FIG. 2, andassociated as a position pattern of pressure differentials indicative ofthe subject 302 being about to exit the bed or mattress. The historicalposition pattern data can be used to assist in predicting the action ofthe subject. For example, if the subject always gets out of bed on thesame side, but the current trajectory of the position pattern is towardthe opposite side, an action such as exiting the bed may not bepredicted. If the subject always pauses in a sitting position beforeexiting, the center of mass near the edge of the bed can trigger aprediction of bed exit. If the same, or similar, string or pattern ofpressure differentials is captured, an alert or an alarm can be sent toa caregiver to indicate that the subject 302 might be about to exit thebed or mattress. This can prevent falls, which is a serious problem inmedical facilities.

The bladder 402 shown in FIG. 4B includes a vertical seam 408 separatingthe bladder 402 into two portions C/D. The vertical seam 408 creates avertical zig-zag pattern on the bladder 402, splitting the bladder 402into the two portions C/D. In the example shown here, portion C includesfingers, or teeth, that extend between the fingers, or teeth, of portionD. The seam 408 is configured so that each interleaved portion C/Dextends nearly the entire length of the bladder 402. This allows foreach interleaved portion C/D to have some pressure exerted on it by thesubject at nearly any location on the bladder 402, as opposed to ahorizontal seam creating portions that are not interleaved. Though thefingers or teeth shown in FIG. 4B are triangular, they can also be inany other shape. Further, though each of the portions C/D shown in FIG.4B includes approximately half of the bladder 402, the vertical seam 408can also be configured to divide the bladder 402 into quarters, eights,sixteenths, or unequally sectioned portions.

In a similar manner as described with respect to bladder 400, thepressure can be measured independently in each portion C/D of thebladder 402 with pressure sensors 424/426. The sensors 424/426 can bepositioned at any location along the portions that the sensors 424/426will be measuring. The pressure in portion C will increase linearly as asubject, e.g. subject 302 shown in FIG. 3, moves toward the top of thebladder 402. In a similar manner, the pressure in portion D willincrease linearly as the subject 302 moves toward the bottom of thebladder 402.

The difference in pressure between portion C and portion D can be usedto represent the vertical position of, for example, the subject 302reclining or sitting on a substrate such as a bed or mattress includingthe bladder 402. In graph 410, the vertical position of a subject 302 isshown along the x-axis. This vertical position is represented usingvertical indicators, 1-10, shown both on the side of the bladder 402 andon the x-axis label of the graph 410. An example normalized linearrepresentation of the pressure differential, that is, the pressure ofportion C minus the pressure of portion D, for a subject 302 moving fromthe bottom to the top of the bladder 402 is shown along the y-axis.

For example, if a subject 302 has a center of mass located at thevertical position denoted by ‘3’ both on the bladder 402 and on thegraph 410, the pressure differential between the portions, e.g. portionC minus portion D, would be approximately ‘−4.’ If a subject 302 has acenter of mass located at the vertical position denoted by ‘8’ both onthe bladder 402 and on the graph 410, the pressure differential betweenthe portions would be approximately ‘4.’ Thus, by calculating thepressure differential between the portions C/D of the bladder 402, thevertical position of the subject 302 can be predicted. In the samemanner as was described with respect to horizontal motion and predictionin reference to bladder 400 and graph 406, pressure differentialsbetween portions C/D can be used to determine the path of verticalmotion and predict when a subject 302 is about to exit the substrate,e.g. the bed or mattress.

The bladders 400/402 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B can be stacked together,one on top of the other, to provide a center of mass for the subject 302based on both horizontal and vertical position as determined by thepressure differentials between portions AB of bladder 400 and portionsC/D of bladder 402. Also, both horizontal motion and vertical motion ofa subject 302 can be captured and stored before and after an exit eventfor use in further prediction if both bladders 400/402 are used at thesame time with the non-intrusive monitoring apparatus 300. Examplesubject 302 positions based on stacking of the bladders 400/402 aredescribed in respect to FIGS. 5A-5C.

FIGS. 5A-5C are representative of the two bladders 400/402 layered toreceive the subject 302. In FIG. 5A, the subject 302 is shown in thecenter of the bladders 400/402, which would equate to a pressuredifferential of zero for both bladders 400 and 402. In FIG. 5B, thesubject 302 is horizontally centered but not vertically centered.Therefore, the pressure differential of bladder 400 would be zero whilethe pressure differential of bladder 402 would be C-D, a positive numbergreater than zero. In FIG. 5C, the subject 302 is neither horizontallycentered nor vertically centered. Therefore, the pressure differentialof bladder 400 would be A-B, a negative number with an absolute valuegreater than zero, while the pressure differential of bladder 402 wouldbe C-D, a positive number greater than zero.

Combining and subtracting information from both sets of bladders canalso give additional information about the subject's position. Inaddition to static position, the first derivative of the positioninformation can be used to predict which direction the subject 302 ismoving. In addition to the first derivative, the second derivative canbe calculated to give the rate at which the subject 302 is moving towardthe edge of the bed. This information can be used to predict a bed exitbefore it actually happens. These predictions using static position orfirst derivative or second derivative can be used to indicate, such asby an audible alert or a text or email message over the local network orinternet, to a care giver that a subject 302 is about to exit a bed. Thealert can reduce the number of falls while getting out of bed or helpkeep track of the subject's 302 movement patterns.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a seamed bladder 450 formonitoring a position of a subject 302 using the apparatus of FIG. 3. Asdescribed above in respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the bladder can bedivided into more than two portions. As shown in the example embodimentof FIG. 6, the bladder 450 is divided into four portions452/454/456/458. Each of the four portions 452/454/456/458 has at leasttwo pressure sensors (shown but not numbered). The four portions452/454/456/458 of FIG. 6 are provided by means of example and are notmeant to be limiting. Other numbers of bladder portions, either equal orunequal in portioning, are also contemplated.

FIG. 7 is representative system architecture for monitoring the positionof a subject 302 in accordance with implementations of this disclosure.A group of pressure sensors 460 is shown as including pressure sensorsthat measure the pressure differential in at least two bladders (rightpressure sensor and left pressure sensor for one bladder, top pressuresensor and bottom pressure sensor for another bladder). In addition,pillow pressure sensors and other pressures sensors are also shown inthe group of pressure sensors 460 to indicate that additional pressuremeasurements can be made in association with the system for monitoringthe position of the subject 302.

Each sensor in the group of pressure sensors 460 can communicate with asignal conditioner 462. The signal conditioner 462 can analyze the dataand/or signals captured by each sensor in the group of pressure sensors460 by, for example, amplifying, filtering noise, and configuring thedata and/or signals for use by a micro controller 464. The microcontroller 464 can receive the conditioned pressure signals from thegroup of pressure sensors 460 and can perform pattern recognition, orother calculations, based on the conditioned pressure signals todetermine the position, heart rate, respiratory rate, or otherbio-signal properties or conditions associated with the subject 302. Themicro controller 464 can send information, such as informationindicating the parameters of the subject, such as the position, heartrate, and respiratory rate, to an external device using a communicationlink 466. The communication link can be any type of wired or wirelesscommunication link such as the communications links 122/124/125/126/128described in respect to FIG. 1. A method of using the non-intrusivemonitoring apparatus 300 equipped with one or more bladders, such asbladders 400/402, is described in respect to FIG. 8 below.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a method 500 of non-intrusive monitoringusing a non-intrusive monitoring apparatus, such as the non-intrusivemonitoring apparatus 300 shown in FIG. 3, in accordance with embodimentsof this disclosure. For example, non-intrusive monitoring can includemonitoring a subject 302 to predict when the subject 302 will exit a bedor mattress or identify when the subject 302 has already vacated the bedor mattress. Non-intrusive monitoring can include sensing an incidentpressure change at 510, generating a pressure signal at 520, processingthe pressure signal at 530, determining whether the subject 302 is inbed at 540, generating a pattern associated with the subject 302 at 550,presenting information to a user at 560, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, an incident pressure change can be sensed at 510.For example, one or more sensors, such as the sensors 420/422/424/426shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, can receive and measure incident pressure waveswithin one or more bladders, such as one or both of the divided bladders400/402 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In some embodiments, the one or moresensors 420/422/424/426 can generate signals representing the pressurewaves at 520. A different signal can be generated for each of theportions AB or C/D of the divided bladders 400/402. The sensors420/422/424/426 can send the generated signals to a control device, suchas the monitoring controller 340 shown in FIG. 3.

In some embodiments, the monitoring controller 340 can process thesignals at 530. For example, the monitoring controller 340 can storepressure signals or send them to remote storage or can combine pressuresignals with other information associated with a subject, such as thesubject 302 shown in FIG. 3. The pressure signals, the otherinformation, or both, can be associated with an identifier identifyingthe subject 302 and with an identifier identifying the substrate, e.g.mattress or bed, associated with the signals.

In some embodiments, the monitoring controller 340 can determine thepresence of the subject 302, that is, whether the subject 302 is in bedat 540. For example, the determination can be based on the presence orabsence of pressure signals or the magnitude of the pressure signals.For example, a small object, such as a suitcase, would create pressuresignals of lower magnitude than a subject 302 lying on the bed. In someembodiments, the control device can determine that a different subjectis in the bed. For example, the pressure signals can differ in patternor magnitude than previously stored pressure signals for the subject 302associated with, or assigned to, the mattress or bed.

In some embodiments, a pattern associated with the subject 302 can begenerated at 550. For example, the pattern can be generated based on thepressure signals and other information associated with the subject 302.The pattern can also be associated with the identifier identifying thesubject 302 and with the identifier identifying a bed associated withthe subject 302. The pattern can include historical information relatedto direction of movement of the subject 302, duration of movement of thesubject 302, presence of the subject 302, position of the subject 302over time, or any other indicators or conditions that can be used bothto identify a specific subject 302 and predict when the subject 302 isabout to exit a mattress or bed.

In some embodiments, information associated with the signal can bepresented to a user at 560. For example, information indicating whetherthe subject 302 is in bed can be sent to an external device forpresentation to a user, such as hospital or nursing home personnel. Inanother example, the information can indicate that a different subjectis in the bed. In another example, the information can indicate that thesubject 302 is about to exit the bed, based on a pattern for the subject302 including position of the subject 302 on the bed and direction ofmovement of the subject 302 that can be associated with previous exitsfrom the bed.

When the subject 302 is a patient, bladders 400/402 can be incorporatedinto a hospital bed with apparatus 300, and the system can calculate thedirection of movement of the patient and can issue an alert when thepatient gets to the edge of the bed or has crossed over a predeterminedthreshold in one or both of the horizontal and vertical positions on thebed. An example threshold 410 is illustrated in FIG. 4A. The threshold410 can be associated with a predetermined pressure differential,indicating the patient is approaching an edge of the bed. In response tothe alert, a caregiver can reach the patient before the patient gets outof bed, reducing the potential for falls, a problem medical facilitieswork to reduce. Historical position data can be stored and combined withreal time position data to assist in earlier and more accuratedeterminations of a bed exit. Supervision can be provided to the patientwhen the caregiver receives an indication that a patient is starting torepeat a pattern that was previously associated with an exit from a bed.Being able to provide assistance to patients as they get out of bed canreduce the number of slip and fall accidents in a medical facilitysetting.

In another example, the subject 302 can be a participant in arehabilitation or detention program at a public or private facility.Supervisory personnel can be sent to monitor the participant whenpersonnel at the facility receive an indication that the participant isstarting to repeat a pattern previously associated with an exit from asubstrate, such as a mattress, bed, or chair. Being able to monitor theparticipant as they attempt to leave a substrate can reduce the numberof participants that attempt to get around the rules or regulations ofthe given program.

The embodiments herein can also be modified to be used in an automobileseat. When used with an automotive seat, the subject 302 can be thedriver of a vehicle and the apparatus can create a sleepiness scorebased on one or more vital signs. The sleepiness score can, for example,indicate impending sleep when heart rate is low, when respiratory rateis low, and when movements are infrequent. Over time, the database canaccumulate sleepiness scores for a variety of conditions (e.g., a lowerpressure in one or more bladders, a high pressure in one or morebladders, a cool temperature, and/or a warm temperature). An associationcan then be made using the sleepiness information between the sleepinessscore and environmental conditions, such as the pressure in the one ormore bladders and the temperature within the vehicle. The associationcan be performed by the controller or another processor in communicationwith the database.

The association between the sleepiness score and environmentalconditions can include, for example, determining a correlation betweenthe sleepiness score and environmental conditions. Based on theassociation, a pressure setting can be determined for customizing theenvironmental conditions (e.g., pressure in the one or more bladders andtemperature in the vehicle) to achieve a low sleepiness score. Theembodiments herein adapted for use in an automobile seat can capturepositional data over time and feed the results to the control unit tosend commands to the pump to inflate or deflate the bladders tomanipulate the position of the driver against the automobile seat.

The non-intrusive monitoring system can also be used for manyapplications in a home setting. There is no extensive training,preparation, or change in a subject's behavior in order to incorporatethe system into regular use. A medical facility might send such a systemhome with a patient upon discharge and use an on-site monitoring programto actively monitor that patient's parameters or conditions for a periodof time following major surgery, for example. Professional home healthcare providers can also use the system to enhance their capabilities andimprove care. Non-professional care givers can use the monitoring systemto gather data for physicians, set reminders for the turning of apatient or providing medication, etc. Periodic updates can be wirelesslysent to a medical professional. Professional home health care workersand non-professional caregivers can utilize the monitoring system forfamily members with dementia.

While the embodiments have been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical examples, it is to beunderstood that the disclosure is not to be limited to these examplesbut, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications andequivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of theappended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalentstructures as is permitted under the law.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bed device, the bed device comprising: apadding configured to support a subject on at least a portion of the beddevice, the padding comprising: a divided bladder configured to containa fluid, the divided bladder comprising a first seam dividing thedivided bladder into a first portion and a second portion, wherein thefirst portion and the second portion comprise interleaving members suchthat pressure from a subject supported on the bed device is applieddifferentially to the first portion and the second portion inrelationship to a location of the subject on the bed device, wherein thefirst seam forms a zig-zag pattern that extends nearly the width of thedivided bladder; one or more sensors configured to sense pressures inthe divided bladder; and a processor configured to: receive signals fromthe one or more sensors; identify the differentially applied pressure;and generate a location value to reflect the location of the subject onthe bed device.
 2. The bed device of claim 1, wherein the bed devicefurther comprises a control unit that contains the processor and isfixedly attached to the padding.
 3. The bed device of claim 1, whereinthe one or more sensors are in fluid communication with the dividedbladder by a hose.
 4. The bed device of claim 1, and further comprisinga second divided bladder having a second seam that forms a secondzig-zag pattern that extends nearly the breadth of the second dividedbladder.
 5. The bed device of claim 1, wherein the divided bladderfurther comprises a second seam that further divides the divided bladderinto a third portion and a fourth portion, wherein the third portion andthe fourth portion comprise interleaving members such that pressure froma subject on the bed device is applied differentially to the thirdportion and fourth portion in relationship to the location of thesubject of the bed device.
 6. The bed device of claim 5, whereinpressure from a subject supported on the bed device is applieddifferentially to the first portion and the second portion inrelationship to a horizontal location of the subject on the bed device;and pressure from a subject on the bed device is applied differentiallyto the third portion and fourth portion in relationship to a verticallocation of the subject of the bed device.
 7. The bed device of claim 1,wherein the divided bladder is an air bladder.
 8. The bed device ofclaim 1, wherein the divided bladder is a water bladder.
 9. The beddevice of claim 1, and further comprising means for maintaining areference pressure.
 10. The bed device of claim 9, and furthercomprising means for containing components of the means for maintaininga reference pressure.
 11. The bed system of claim 10, wherein the one ormore sensors are positioned in the means for containing components ofthe means for maintaining a reference pressure.